Method of manufacturing a stack of spaced lites

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to the manufacture of lites (glass sheets) which have at least a pair of thin spacers applied thereto which maintain the lites in spaced relationship when stacked upon pallets, wrapped and shipped. The spacers are preferably only partially adhered to the lites, either by weak bonding adhesive or electrostatically, and can be readily removed during end-use applications. The spacers are applied automatically during production runs of the lites, and the spacers are applied from above or from below relative to the path of travel of the lites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the manufacture of lites (glasssheets or glass panels) which are eventually stacked in relativelyintimated, though spaced, relationship to each other.

[0003] 2. Description of the Relevant Art

[0004] It is conventional to stand lites/glass sheets on edgesubstantially vertically and interleave a sheet of paper, such as craftpaper, between the sheets. Such sheets are generally stacked upon apallet and are enclosed by a relatively strong polymeric/copolymericfilm, such as relatively transparent or translucent polyethylene film.The interleaved sheets of paper function to impede corrosion of glass,prevent scratches and damp shocks, thereby safeguarding the glasssheets, which otherwise may be broken or cracked by relativemovement/collision therebetween, as when such stacked and palletizedsheets are transported to an end user.

[0005] Interleaving a sheet of paper between glass lites has in the pastbeen done manually and is, therefore, time-consuming and costly from aproduction standpoint.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,743. acknowledges the function of such papersheets to impede corrosion of glass, prevent scratches, damp shocks andprevent glass sheet/lite breakage. However, this patent also recognizesthat moisture which is absorbed by such large paper sheets can createchemical reactions with the glass which produce paper stains on theglass surfaces. Wrinkle patterns from the paper sheets are said to betransferable to the lites thereby rendering the same less attractive.Glass quality is also said to deteriorate as a result of surfaceweathering of the glass sheets due to moisture absorption by the papersheets, particularly under high humidity conditions under which waterdroplets may form and drip upon the lites. This patent suggests as onesolution to these problems the same conventional utilization of craftpaper as spacer material, but associated therewith are bodies ofdesiccant material housed within an overwrap of the stacked glass. Theoverwrap is a polyethylene film having low water vapor transmissioncharacteristics. While this patent proposes solutions to severalproblems, its disclosure is silent with respect to the continuedconventionality of utilizing large sheets of paper as spacers betweenadjacent pairs of lites.

[0007] Another approach to protecting sheets of material against damageduring stacking or packaging is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,462 whichfirst acknowledges the interposition of loose materials, such as straw,wool fiber and sawdust, between sheets of glass when they are packed fortransportation, or to interpose sheets of relatively soft material, suchas paper or corrugated cardboard. However, the patent goes on to statethat these methods do not prevent surface damage to the sheets which mayin some cases make them useless, particularly if they are of a very highquality glass or have been specially surface treated. This patentproposes the utilization of a plurality of spacing members, such as padsof polyurethane having coatings of pressure-sensitive adhesive on theopposite faces which contact the glass sheets. An alternative approachis the utilization of spacing members each having a head portion formedas a suction member and a stem portion which is relatively flat. Suchpads or spacer members are positioned between the glass sheets. Thesespacers are costly because of the intricate configuration thereof andthe amount of material associated with each, not to mention the highproductivity costs involved in manually locating a plurality of suchspacers between adjacent glass sheets.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,747 avoids the utilization of individualspacers of any type, yet protects the surfaces of glass sheets that arestacked together for storage, shipment or other handling by spraying orapplying parting material, with or without filler, upon surfaces of thesheets to maintain the same spaced when in stacked relationship. Suchparting material coatings adhere to the glass sheet surfaces and providesuitable space between adjacent surfaces of the stacked glass sheets.Problems associated with such protection involve air quality standardsduring application, but more importantly remains the end use task ofremoving the coatings incident to the utilization of the glass sheets.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,145 suggests electrostatically charging glasssheets as they travel along a conveyor through the utilization of a silkcloth roll. Each glass sheet is thereby electrostatically charged. Theelectrostatically charged glass sheets are conveyed through anatmosphere filled with wood flour which causes the particles of flour tobe attracted to the charged surfaces of the glass sheets in a relativelythin uniform layer. By negatively electrostatically charging the woodflour, the latter will be attracted and retained for a sufficient timeto achieve stacking and wrapping of the glass sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention is directed to a novel method of manufacturing astack of lites (glass sheets or plates) in spaced relationship to eachother to thereby prevent damage, particularly during shipment. The litesare successively fed along a first path of travel and thin spacers arefed along a second path of travel with the paths of travel convergingtoward an area of merger at which the thin spacers are adhered to thelites. The lites are thereafter stacked with the thin spacers sandwichedbetween adjacent pairs of the lites.

[0011] The thin spacers are carried by a ribbon formed of first andsecond relatively narrow strips of material. First surfaces of the twostrips of material are in surface-to-surface abutting relationship, anda plurality of unending preferably circular cut lines are formedsubstantially through the first strip of material to set-off successivespacers which are carried by the second strip of material after removalof first strip waste material. Each spacer has associated therewithindicia means for activating a sensor to effect timed removal of thespacers from the second strip and the timed transfer thereof to anassociated lite. The sensor activating means is preferably a dark lineor bar of printed indicia associated with each spacer which isconventionally sensed to control ribbon feed in timed relationship withedge sensing of the conveyed lites. Preferably, at least two spacers areapplied to each lite with one spacer being applied relative to leadingedge sensing of the lite and the second spacer being applied responsiveto trailing edge sensing of the lite. After each lite has appliedthereto at least two such spacers, the lites are stacked upon a pallet,are appropriately wrapped in conventional film, and can be readilytransported absent deterioration or damage because of the protectionafforded by the spacers.

[0012] In further accordance with this invention, the relatively thinspacers are designed not only for spacing and thereby protecting thelites, but perhaps as importantly is the fact that the spacers can bereadily removed incident to end use applications. For example, the litescan be glass shelves for refrigerators which are shipped from the litemanufacturer/fabricator in stacks to the refrigerator manufacturer. Eachthin spacer must be readily removed by the manufacturer or the eventualend user, namely, the retail purchaser. To the latter end the spacerseach include first and second surface areas which contact an associatedlite. The first surface area of each spacer is in substantially adheringrelationship to the lite, while the second surface area is insubstantially nonadhering relationship to the lite. Therefore, theadhered first surface areas function to retain the spacers in positionupon the lites during fabrication, stacking and shipment, while thesecond surface areas permit the spacers to be readily grasped andremoved from the lites, either by the end use manufacturer or the enduse retail user.

[0013] Preferably, each first surface area of each spacer possesseseither adhesive characteristics or static cling (electrostatic)characteristics. In the first case, each spacer is preferably made ofpaper and includes on its first surface area a relatively weak bondingadhesive, while the second surface area excludes adhesive.Alternatively, both the first and second surface areas may be providedwith a weak bonding adhesive, but the second surface areas are coveredwith a very thin covering, such as a thin piece of paper. In such case,the thin piece of paper or tab prevents the second surface areas fromadhering to the lites and facilitates subsequent end use removal.

[0014] In lieu of the paper spacers, the spacers may also be made ofmaterial possessing static cling characteristics (electrostaticallyadherent to glass). Static cling vinyl or similar polymeric/copolymericmaterial is preferably utilized, and absent other provisions, each suchstatic cling vinyl spacer readily adheres to an associated lite.However, the adherence is so relatively dramatic that difficulties couldbe encountered unless otherwise provided for, as, for example,difficulty of end-use removal, difficulty of glass separation, and thelike. Accordingly, a first surface of each spacer includes a firstsurface area which possesses static cling or electrostatic adheringcharacteristics for adhering each spacer to an associated lite, but anadjacent second surface area is covered by a thin tab of nonadheringmaterial, such as thin paper, which prevents such adherence. Thus, eachspacer is electrostatically adhered to the lite at its first surfacearea, yet can be readily removed by grasping the second surfacearea/tab. Spacer transfer between stacked lites is prevented by coatingeach spacer opposite second surface with a U.V. coating or itsequivalent which kills or suppresses static and prevents spacer transferbetween adjacent stacked lites.

[0015] With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafterappear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood byreference to the following detailed description, the appended claims andthe several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front schematic perspective view of a pair ofrelatively identical machines, and illustrates each machine feeding aribbon or a carrier having adhered thereto relatively thin spacers forthe individual transfer of the thin spacers to upper surfaces of lites.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side schematic elevational view of one of the twomachines of FIG. 1, and illustrates the manner in which the ribbon andthin spacers are fed along a first path of travel toward a merger areaat which the thin spacers are transferred to upper surfaces of lites fedalong a second path of travel.

[0018]FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectionalview of the merger area between the paths of travel of the ribbon andspacers and the lites, and illustrates one of the spacers beingtransferred to an upper surface of a lite at a predetermined positionrelative to the leading edge of the lite as the lite travels fromright-to-left.

[0019]FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectionalview of the merger area between the paths of travel of the ribbon andspacers and the lites, and illustrates a second spacer being transferredfrom the ribbon to the upper surface of the same lite as thatillustrated in FIG. 3 but in specified relationship to a trailing edgeof the lite relative to the direction of travel.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lite of FIGS. 3 and 4, andillustrates the spacers upon an upper surface of the lite, and graphicsand printing (upside down and backwards) upon the upper surface of thelite.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the lite of FIG. 5, and illustratesthe opposite lower surface of the lite after the lite in FIG. 5 has beenoriented lower side up.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevational view of theribbon or carrier from which each relatively thin spacer is removed, andillustrates a plurality of circular cut lines each defining asubstantially circular spacer and in parallel broken lines a dark barfor sensor activation and attendant spacer-to-lite application purposes.

[0023]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 7, and illustrates a first surface of one of the spacers in contactwith a first surface of a second strip with a first surface area of thespacer being in adhesive adhering contact with the second strip and asecond surface area of the spacer being in nonadhering contact with thesecond strip.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the first surface of one of the thincircular spacers, and illustrates a relatively large first adheringsurface area, and a relatively smaller nonadhering second surface area.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective diagrammatic view of a stackof lites, and illustrates each lite carrying a pair of thin spacers witheach pair of thin spacers separating and protecting adjacent litessupported upon a pallet and wrapped in polymeric/copolymeric film.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of another ribbonconstructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates indicia(“PEEL HERE”) applied to a surface of a first narrow strip of staticcling vinyl material and dark printed timing bars of indicia applied toan opposite surface of an underlying paper strip.

[0027]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view throughthe ribbon of FIG. 11, and illustrates the static cling vinyl strip andthe paper strip in first-surface to first-surface adhering relationshipover the entire abutting surfaces thereof.

[0028]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of the ribbon or carrier ofFIG. 11, and illustrates the latter after circular die cuts have beenmade through the vinyl cling strip and smaller tab-forming die cuts havebeen made through the paper strip in the area beneath the “PEEL HERE”indicia.

[0029]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary top plan view of the ribbon or carrier ofFIG. 13, and illustrates the reverse side thereof with the tab-formingdie cuts forming a paper tab immediately adjacent each dark printedtiming bar.

[0030]FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the mergerarea of FIGS. 3 and 4, and illustrates one of the relatively thincircular spacers of the ribbon of FIGS. 13 and 14 being applied to alite.

[0031]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the lite of FIG. 15, and illustratestwo of the thin spacers of FIG. 15 applied to an upper surface of thelite which also includes reverse printing.

[0032]FIG. 17 is a highly enlarged cross-sectional view taken generallyalong line 17-17 of FIG. 16, and illustrates the “PEEL HERE” minorsurface area or portion of the spacer in nonadhering relationship to thelite and the major surface area or portion of the spacer inelectrostatic adhered relationship to the upper surface of the lite.

[0033]FIG. 18 is a schematic side elevational view of another machineconstructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates themanner in which thin spacers are applied to a lower surface of litesmoving from right-to-left which results in the thin spacers beingapplied to the surface opposite that illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6of the drawings.

[0034]FIG. 19 is a highly enlarged schematic longitudinalcross-sectional view of an area of merger between the paths of travel ofthe lite and the spacers of the machine of FIG. 18, and illustrates agap between adjacent conveyor rollers for accommodating transfermechanisms of the spacer applying machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] A machine 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings adjacent asubstantially identical machine 12 which are conventionally supportedabove a conveyor 13 having a plurality of conveyor rollers 14 driven toconvey or feed a plurality of identical lites (glass sheets or plates) Lin a first direction along a first path of travel which in FIG. 2 isfrom right-to-left and is generally designated by the headed arrow T. Asis best illustrated in FIG. 1, the lites, sheets or plates L are of asubstantially rectangular configuration, and though illustrated as beingsubstantially the same size, the lites L associated with the machine 10can be larger or smaller than the lites L associated with the machine12. Alternately, a relatively large lite spanning the width of theconveyor 13 can be fed along the path of travel T and each suchrelatively large single lite can be operated upon by both of themachines 10, 12. However, for the purposes of this description, themachine 10 will be described in association with the lites L associatedtherewith (FIG. 1), and the description thereof is equally applicable tothe substantially identical machine 12, whether the machine 12 operatesindividually upon individual lites L or collectively with the machine 10simultaneously upon a single lite.

[0036] Reference is made to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings in which isillustrated one of the lites L which is of a generally rectangularconfiguration defined by an upper surface U_(s) (FIG. 5), a lowersurface L_(s) (FIG. 6), side edges S1, S2, a leading edge E_(l) and atrailing edge E_(t). The direction of travel T of the lites L throughthe machine 10 has been superimposed upon the lite L in FIGS. 5 and 6for reasons which will be more apparent hereinafter. The upper surfaceU_(s) of each lite L includes indicia, designs and/or verbiage orprinting I, such as the backward silkscreened words “TEMPERED GLASS”thereon, as well as appropriate designs (parallel lines) which can varydepending upon the particular end use application of the lites L. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, each lite L is preferablyconstructed from tempered glass and its end use is as a substantiallyhorizontally oriented shelf in, for example, a refrigerator or the like.Thus, in keeping with the first embodiment of the invention relative tothe machines 10 and 12, the sheets, plates or lites L are fed in thedirection T (FIG. 5) with the upper surface U_(s) uppermost, but in enduse applications the lower surface L_(s) during manufacture becomes theupper surface in end use applications (FIG. 6).

[0037] The machine 10, as well as the machine 12, is a modifiedautomatic label applicator of the type manufactured by Autolabe, adivision of Booth Manufacturing Company of 3101 Industrial Avenue Two,Fort Pierce, Fla. 34946, and appropriately modified in keeping with thepresent invention.

[0038] As is best illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the machine 10includes a conventionally supported shaft 21 upon which is removablymounted a reel 22 which is identical to a back-up or reserve reel 23supported upon a shaft 24. Wound upon the reel 22 is a continuous ribbonor carrier 20 of relatively indeterminate length which will be describedimmediately hereinafter. The ribbon 20 is drawn over an idler roll 25freely rotatable on a shaft (unnumbered) carried by an arm 26 which isbiased by a spring (not shown) to provide appropriate tension to theribbon 20. The ribbon 20 passes over another idler back-up roll 27 andis biased thereagainst by a spring 28. A pair of conventionalphotoelectric sensors 30, 31 are disposed on opposite sides of theribbon 20. The photoelectric sensors 30, 31 include a conventional lightsource 30 and a conventional light sensor 31 responsive to the presenceor absence of light ribbon 20 and lite L timed feeding under the controlof a conventional solid state computer C. The sensors 30, 31 and thecomputer C are available from Autolabe and other sources. The ribbon 20is partially entrained about an idler roller 32, passes over a guide bar33 and subsequently is partially entrained about a sharp radiused nose34 of a transfer bar 35 in an area of merger A between the path oftravel T of the lites L and a path of travel T1 (FIG. 2) of a portion ofthe carrier 20 as it moves from right-to-left in FIG. 2 toward an areaof merger A. The ribbon or carrier 20 carries a plurality of identicalrelatively thin circular spacers 50 which will be described hereinafter,and at the merger area A individual spacers 50 are removed from theribbon 20 and are transferred to the upper surface U_(s) of each lite L.

[0039] After each spacer 50 has been removed from the carrier 20 and hasbeen applied to an associated lite L, the ribbon 20 continues travellingover a timed intermittently driven drive roller 36, idler rollers 37,38, a continuous driven drive roller 40 and is eventually fed into atrash container 42 through a discharge pipe 41 under the influence ofair blown into the discharge pipe 41 by a blower motor 43 via a duct 44.A spring-biased arm 45 biases a back-up roller 46 against the ribbon 20to maintain the ribbon 20 taut whether being fed or stationary. When theribbon 20 is stationary, the roller 40 simply slips against the surfaceof the ribbon 20.

[0040] A front edge sensor 47 and a rear edge sensor 48 are positionedin the merger area A and respectively detect the leading edge E_(l) andthe trailing edge E_(t) of each lite L with appropriate signalstherefrom being fed to the computer C for step-advancing the ribbon 20through the intermittently driven drive roller 36 to successively applythe spacers 50 adjacent the leading edge E_(l) and the trailing edgeE^(t) of each lite L. The sensors 47, 48 are preferably light sensors,such as the conventional sensors 30, 31, and preferably the sensors 47,48 can be moved in a conventional manner individually to the left orright along the path of travel T to selectively vary the positions atwhich the spacers 50 are applied to the lites L.

[0041] During the transfer of each spacer 50 in the area of merger A,bristles of a brush 19 fixed appropriately adjacent the transfer bar 35assures that each spacer 50 is forcefully adhered to the upper surface Uof each lite L.

[0042] In FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, a portion of the ribbon orcarrier 20 is illustrated which initially includes a first relativelynarrow strip of material 21 shown only in FIG. 7 and a second relativelynarrow strip of material 22 (FIG. 8). In this embodiment of theinvention, both strips 21, 22 are relatively translucent paper materialof identical width with first surfaces thereof in abutting, contacting,substantially adhering relationship to each other. The first strip ofmaterial 21 includes a plurality of circular cut lines 23 extendingsubstantially completely therethrough with each cut line 23 defining oneof the relatively thin and flat spacers 50. The cut lines 23 are diecuts formed in a conventional manner, and once thus formed, a wasteribbon portion 24 (FIG. 7) is entirely removed from the second strip 22leaving only the spacers 50 upon the second strip of material 22 (FIG.8). Thus, in the final ribbon 20 (FIGS. 2 and 8), first strip portionsor spacers 50 are retained upon the second strip 22 while the secondstrip portion or the waste strip portion 24 is removed.

[0043] Prior to uniting the first and second strips 21, 22,respectively, to each other, a first surface area 51 (FIG. 9) of eachfirst strip portion or spacer 50 is provided with adhesivecharacteristics, such as low bond strength adhesive A_(l). Typically,such adhesives AR are commonly used on Post-it® notes manufactured by 3MCorporation of St. Paul, Minn. The adhesive A_(l) covers essentially theentire first or major surface area 51 of each spacer 50, while anadjacent minor surface area 52 separated from the first major surfacearea 51 by a line of demarcation 53 (FIGS. 8 and 9) lacks adhesivecharacteristics and possesses substantially nonadhering characteristics.As is best illustrated in FIG. 8, the low bond strength adhesive A_(l)adheres each spacer 50 to the opposing surface of the second strip 22 atthe major surface area 51, but the second surface area or minor surfacearea 52 is in nonadhering contact with the second strip 22. An uppersurface 54 of each spacer 50 has also printed thereupon “PEEL HERE” orsimilar indicia for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter.

[0044] A plurality of means 55 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are spaced from eachother along the second strip 22 for detection by the sensors 30, 31 toeffect timed removal of each spacer 50 from the ribbon 20 specificallyfrom the second strip 22 in the area of merger A (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). Themeans 55 are a plurality of black printed bands through which lightessentially will not pass, whereas light will pass through the reminderof the ribbon 20 because of the relatively thin and translucentcharacteristics of the paper of the second strip 22 and the spacers 50.

[0045] Reference is made specifically to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of thedrawings which collectively illustrate the manner in which two of thespacers 50, 50 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are applied to the upper surface U_(s) ofeach of the lites L. As the lites L continuously travel fromright-to-left in FIG. 2 along the path of travel T, the leading edgeE_(l) (FIG. 3) of a lite L will be sensed by the sensor 47 which ishardwired to the computer C. The computer C in turn signals aconventional drive mechanism D to rotate the drive roller 36 clockwiseand thereby advance the tape 20 in the direction T₁. During thisadvancement, the very sharp or abrupt nose 34 of the transfer bar 35creates an abrupt bend in the second strip 22 (FIG. 3), but the spacer50 continues moving along the path T₁ toward and upon the upper surfaceU_(s) of the lite L under the wiping action of the bristles of the brush19 somewhat downstream from the leading edge E_(l) of the lite L. Thelatter is a relatively abrupt and short advancement of the ribbon 20because the next black timing bar 55 passing between the sensors 30, 31transmits a signal to the computer C and the latter in turn signals thedrive mechanism D to stop the drive rotation of the drive roller 36which ceases advancement of the ribbon 20 in the direction T₁. As thetrailing edge E_(t) of the lite L is next sensed by the sensor 48, asignal is again transmitted to the computer C which in turn causes thestep-advancement of the ribbon 20 via the drive mechanism D and thedrive roller 36 during which the next succeeding spacer 50 (FIG. 4) isapplied to the upper surface U_(s) of the same lite L upstream, asviewed in the direction of travel T, from the trailing edge E_(t). Thefeed of the second spacer 50 is also short and abrupt and is terminatedupon the next succeeding black timing bar 55 passing between the sensors30, 31 to again stop feed of the ribbon 20 via the computer C, the drivemechanism D and the drive roller 36. This sequence is repeated for eachsuccessive lite L, and the unending series of stop-and-go advancementsof the ribbon 20 controlled by the sensors 30, 31 and 47, 48 apply thespacers 50 in spaced pairs to each upper surface U_(s) of each lite L inthe manner best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

[0046] A group or stack of the lites L is designated by the referencecharacter G in FIG. 10, and the plurality of lites L thereof are eachmaintained in separated spaced relationship by the spacers 50therebetween. This group or stack G of lites L are preferably supportedupon a conventional pallet S and are conventionally overwrapped inrelatively strong polymeric/copolymeric wrapping material W and are thustransported to a customer for end use manufacturing or installationpurposes and subsequent retail end use. For example, if the stack orgroup G of spaced lites L are sent to a refrigerator manufacturer, thewrapping W would be removed, the spacers 50, 50 of each lite L would beremoved, and the lites L installed, as, for example, refrigeratorshelves. The nonadhering surface area 52 (FIGS. 8 and 9) of each spacer50 provides a readily and easily grasped area/portion which isadditionally identified by the words “PEEL HERE” (FIGS. 5 and 6).Therefore, each nonadhered portion 52 of each spacer 50 can be readilygrasped and pulled to quickly and readily remove the spacers 50 from thelites L.

[0047] It is important to recognize that the uppermost surface 54 ofeach spacer 50 opposite the surface areas 51, 52 lacks any adhering oradhesive characteristics. In other words, the upper surface 54 of eachspacer 50 possesses nonadhering characteristics and when the stack G isunwrapped, the lites L will not only readily separate one from another,but the spacers 50 will assuredly remain positioned as applied, namely,two spacers 50 per only each upper surface U_(s) of each lite L absentthe transfer of any spacer 50 to opposite abutting surfaces L_(s) ofadjacent lites L. Absent the latter, subsequent end users would beconfronted with the problem of removing the spacers 50 from both upperand lower surfaces, U_(s), L_(s), respectively, of each lite L, ratherthan from the single surface U_(s) which is more user friendly and lesstime-consuming. Though the spacers 50, 50 are mildly adhesively adheredto the upper surface U_(s) of the lites L, it should be noted that thespacers 50, 50 and the backward silk screened indicia I are on the sameupper side U_(s) of each lite L, but in the end use position (FIG. 6) ofeach lite L, the lite L must be installed lower side L_(s) up (FIG. 6)to render the indicia I readable. When the spacers 50, 50 are removedfrom each lite L prior to installation into a refrigerator, for example,there is no particular problem presented by the upper surface U_(s)location of the spacers 50, 50. However, if the spacers 50, 50 are notremoved and the lites L are installed as shelves, the now upper surfaceU_(s) faces down and can present spacer removal problems, mostsignificant of which is the cumbersome and awkward manipulative removalof the spacers 50 from below. The latter problem is effectively solvedin a manner to be described subsequently with respect to FIGS. 18 and 19of the drawings.

[0048] Reference is, however, first directed to another ribbon orcarrier illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 14 of the drawings which isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 60. The ribbon 60 includesa first relatively narrow strip 61 of substantially translucentpolymeric/copolymeric plastic material having static cling orelectrostatic characteristics, such as conventional static cling vinyl,and a second relatively narrow strip 62 of substantially translucentpaper material with respective first surfaces 63, 64 thereof being inabutting relatively weakly adhering relationship to each other. Thestrips 61, 62 adhere to each other by precoating the surface 64 of thepaper strip 62 with an extremely weak bonding adhesive (not shown), suchas the adhesive A_(l) used in association with the spacers 50 (FIGS. 8and 9). The adhesive A_(l) is identical to that earlier describedrelative to adhesive used upon Post-it® notes manufactured by 3MCorporation of St. Paul, Minn. Opposite second surfaces 65, 66 of therespective strips 61, 62 carry respective indicia 67, 68. The indicia 67are the words “PEEL HERE,” or any equivalent thereof, though the indicia67 need not necessarily be utilized in conjunction with the utilizationof the ribbon 60. The indicia or timing stripes 68, however, constitutea plurality of means spaced from each other along the second surface 66of the strip 62 which cooperate with the sensors 30, 31 (FIG. 2) to stopribbon feed shortly after each spacer 50 has been applied to each lite Lin response to the successive operation of the sensors 47, 48, as wasdescribed earlier herein. The timing strips or sensor-activating means68 are relatively broad black printed stripes which block lighttransmission through the relatively translucent material of the strips61, 62.

[0049] The first strip 61 also includes a plurality of continuouscircular die cut lines 69 (FIGS. 11 and 12) setting-off equally spacedsuccessive first strip portions or spacers 70 of a circularconfiguration. As is best illustrated in FIG. 13, each dark timingstripe 68 is diametrically located relative to an associated spacer 70.The material of the strip 61 surrounding the spacers 70 is generallydesignated by the reference numeral 71 (FIG. 13) and constitutes asecond strip portion or a waste strip portion of the strip 61 which isentirely removed incident to the utilization of the ribbon 60 inconjunction with the machines 10, 12, as is best illustrated in FIG. 15of the drawings.

[0050] The strip 62 also includes a plurality of equally spacedsuccessive die cut lines 72 (FIG. 14) defining relatively small tabs 80.Each cut line 72 includes an arcuate cut line portion 73, oppositeparallel relatively short cut line portions 74, 75, and a cut lineportion 76 adjacent and generally parallel to its associated dark timingstripe or bar 68. Each tab 80 underlies the “PEEL HERE” indicia 67, asis best viewed in FIG. 13.

[0051] The ribbon 60 of FIGS. 13 and 14 with the waste strip portion 71removed is wound upon a reel, such as the reel 22 of FIG. 2, and isthreaded through the various components of the machine 10 identically asillustrated in FIG. 2 with respect to the ribbon 20. The overalloperation of the machine 10 in conjunction with the ribbon 60 remainsessentially the same as that heretofore described with respect to theribbon 20. In this case the ribbon or carrier 60 is preferably woundupon the reel 22 such as the “PEEL HERE” portions of the spacers 70 aretrailing as they approach the merge area A in the manner shown in FIG.15 and are progressively stripped therefrom in the manner heretoforedescribed in detail relative to the ribbon 20. However, due to thestatic cling characteristics of the static cling vinyl material, eachnegatively charged vinyl spacer 70 is attracted to the positivelycharged lite L and electrostatically adheres/statically clings thereto.During the application of each spacer 70, as is best illustrated in FIG.15, the small tab 80 associated therewith is also removed from the strip62. Since the tab 80 is made of paper, it prevents the overlying portionof each spacer 80 from electrostatically adhering or clinging to thelite L, as is best illustrated in FIG. 17 of the drawing. Accordingly,the spacers 70 can be readily removed by simply gripping the “PEEL HERE”areas or portions 80, pulling the same and removing the spacers 70 fromthe lites L.

[0052] Though the ribbon 60 is illustrated in FIG. 15 with the “PEELHERE” edges of each spacer 70 trailing, the ribbon 60 can be reversedupon the reel 22 such that it would be unwound with the “PEEL HERE”portion of each spacer leading in the direction of ribbon and litetravel, T₁ and T, respectively. In such case, the application of eachspacer 70 to each lite L remains essentially the same as that heretoforedescribed. Therefore, whether the “PEEL HERE” portion and small tab 80of each spacer 70 is leading or trailing at the merge area A, the sharpnose 34 of the transfer bar 35 initiates separation of the spacers 70from the strip 62 of the carrier 60 along with the tabs 80 thereof.Furthermore, as in the case of the lites L of FIGS. 5 and 6, the spacers70 are also positioned upon the upper surface U_(s) of the lite L ofFIGS. 16 and 17 which is, of course, the lower side of the end useposition of the lite L, noting the reverse and backward printing I of“TEMPERED GLASS” in FIG. 16.

[0053] The lites L of FIG. 16 are stacked in the manner heretoforedescribed relative to FIG. 10 and, thus, are protected againstscratching, cracking, etc. during shipment due to the spacing affordedadjacent plies L by the spacers 70.

[0054] Another machine constructed in accordance with this invention isillustrated in FIG. 18 of the drawings, and identical components areidentically numbered and primed with the overall machine beingdesignated by the reference numeral 10′.

[0055] The machine 10′ differs in one major aspect from the machines 10,12, namely, the machine 10′ is located beneath a conveyor 13′. Thedriven rollers 14′ of the conveyor 13′ feeds the lites L′ fromright-to-left along a path of travel designated by the headed arrow T′.One or more of the rollers 14′ are eliminated at the area of merger A′between the path of travel T′ of the lites L′ and the path of travel T′₁of the ribbon 60′ and the spacers 70′. This allows the transfer bar 35′and the brush 19′ to cooperate in the manner heretofore describedrelative to the machine 10 to transfer the spacers 70′ to the lowersurface L′_(s) of each lite L′ in the manner most readily apparent fromFIG. 19 of the drawings. Therefore, in this manner the spacers 70′ fromthe ribbon or carrier 60′ (or the spacers 50 from the ribbon or carrier20) can be selectively and successively applied to the lower surfaceL′_(s) of each of the lites L′ during the travel thereof. The importanceof applying the spacers 50, 70 to the lower surface L′_(s) of the litesL is the relationship thereof to the printed material or design indiciaI applied to and carried by each of the lites L, L′, such as theparallel design lines and the phrase “TEMPERED GLASS” appearing adjacentthe leading edges E_(l) of the lites L, L′. This is particularlyimportant if an end use manufacturer does not, for example, remove thespacers 70′ and installs the lites L′ in, for example, a refrigeratorfor utilization as a horizontal shelf. The end usermanufacturer/purchaser in the case of the spacers 20 of FIG. 6 wouldhave to reach beneath the lite or shelf L and remove the spacers 20 fromthe underside because, of course, the manufacturer/purchaser wouldinstall the lite or shelf L of FIG. 6 with the lower surface L_(s)uppermost such that the design and the wording indicia I “TEMPEREDGLASS” are properly oriented. Bottom surface removal of the spacers 20or 70 or 70′, etc. could be cumbersome, as noted earlier, but removalfrom the in-use upper surface U′_(s) would be relativelystraightforward. Accordingly, thought the machine 10′ applies thespacers 50, 70, 70′, etc. heretofore described to the lower surfacesL′_(s) of the lites L′ during production, in end use applications thesespacers are located at the more accessible top surfaces of the lites L′and can be more readily removed therefrom.

[0056] As was described heretofore, the static cling vinyl spacers 70are adhered to the lites L and stacked in the manner heretoforedescribed relative to the spacers 50 of FIG. 10. However, the spacers 70at times might transfer from the surface of the lite L to which theywere specifically applied to the surface of an adjacent lite L,particularly if the wrap W is relatively tight, as it must be to avoidscratching, breakage, etc. Should such unintended spacer transfer occur,the adjacent “transferee” lite might have, for example, two spacers 70,70 on one surface, a single spacer on the opposite surface, and adjacent“transferor” spacer would have only one spacer on the opposing surface.However, in further accordance with this invention, such inadvertenttransfer of static cling vinyl spacers 70 from the upper surface U_(s)of one lite L to the adjacent lower surface L_(s) of a next adjoiningstacked lite is prevented from occurring by applying coating means orequivalent means upon the upper surface 65 (FIGS. 11 and 12) of thevinyl cling strip 61 after the indicia 67 has been applied thereto. Oneexample of such means is a coating of ultraviolet material which issurface coated over the entire surface 65 and cured by an ultravioletlight. This “kills” or suppresses the static properties of the surface65 and thus keeps each spacer 70 from transferring from the intendedlite (FIG. 17) to the adjacent lite which it abuts when stacked in themanner illustrated in FIG. 10. Obviously, since the pairs of spacersadhered to the upper surface U_(s) of each lite L remain adhered theretoand do not transfer to the lower surfaces L_(s) of an adjacent lite, thelites easily separate and, of course, spacers need but be removed from asingle surface during end use applications.

[0057] In lieu of the ultraviolet coating, enamel paint or a water-basedcoating, suitably dried, can be applied over the surface 65 (FIGS. 11and 12) thereby preventing the unintended transfer of the spacer 70.

[0058] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has beenspecifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understoodthat minor variations may be made in the apparatus without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined the appendedclaims.

We claim:
 1. A method of manufacturing a stack of plates in spacedrelationship to each other to thereby prevent damage therebetweencomprising the steps of feeding a plurality of plates successively alonga first path of travel, feeding relatively thin spacers along a secondpath of travel, applying a plurality of the thin spacers to each of theplates at an area of merger between the paths of travel as the thinspacers and plates are fed along their respective second and first pathsof travel, and thereafter stacking the plates with thin spacerssandwiched between adjacent pairs of the plates.
 2. The method asdefined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of plates are glass sheets. 3.The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the spacers are made of staticcling vinyl.
 4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the spacers aremade of paper.
 5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the spacersare made of adhesive backed paper.
 6. The method as defined in claim 1wherein the spacers are applied to upper surfaces of the plates.
 7. Themethod as defined in claim 1 wherein the spacers are applied to lowersurfaces of the plates.
 8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein theplurality of thin spacers each include a first surface area insubstantially adhering relationship with an associated plate and asecond surface area in substantially nonadhering relationship with anassociated plate whereby the thin spacers can be subsequently readilyremoved from the plates by gripping the substantially nonadhering secondsurface area.
 9. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the pluralityof thin spacers each include a first surface area in substantiallyadhering relationship with an associated plate and a second surface areain substantially nonadhering relationship with an associated platewhereby the thin spacers can be subsequently readily removed from theplates by gripping the substantially nonadhering second surface area,and each first surface area includes adhesive characteristics.
 10. Themethod as defined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of thin spacers eachinclude a first surface area in substantially adhering relationship withan associated plate and a second surface area in substantiallynonadhering relationship with an associated plate whereby the thinspacers can be subsequently readily removed from the plates by grippingthe substantially nonadhering second surface area, and each firstsurface area includes static cling characteristics.
 11. The method asdefined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of thin spacers each include afirst surface area in substantially adhering relationship with anassociated plate and a second surface area in substantially nonadheringrelationship with an associated plate whereby the thin spacers can besubsequently readily removed from the plates by gripping thesubstantially nonadhering second surface area, each first surface areaincludes adhesive characteristics, and each second surface area excludesadhesive characteristics.
 12. The method as defined in claim 1 whereinthe plurality of thin spacers each include a first surface area insubstantially adhering relationship with an associated plate and asecond surface area in substantially nonadhering relationship with anassociated plate whereby the thin spacers can be subsequently readilyremoved from the plates by gripping the substantially nonadhering secondsurface area, each first and second surface areas include adhesivecharacteristics, and the adhesive characteristics of the second surfacearea are each covered.
 13. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein theplurality of thin spacers each include a first surface area insubstantially adhering relationship with an associated plate and asecond surface area in substantially nonadhering relationship with anassociated plate whereby the thin spacers can be subsequently readilyremoved from the plates by gripping the substantially nonadhering secondsurface area, each first and second surface areas include adhesivecharacteristics, and the adhesive characteristics of the second surfacearea are each covered by a thin covering.
 14. The method as defined inclaim 1 wherein the plurality of thin spacers each include a firstsurface area in substantially adhering relationship with an associatedplate and a second surface area in substantially nonadheringrelationship with an associated plate whereby the thin spacers can besubsequently readily removed from the plates by gripping thesubstantially nonadhering second surface area, each first and secondsurface areas include adhesive characteristics, and the adhesivecharacteristics of the second surface area are each covered by a thincovering of paper.
 15. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein theplurality of thin spacers each include a first surface area insubstantially adhering relationship with an associated plate and asecond surface area in substantially nonadhering relationship with anassociated plate whereby the thin spacers can be subsequently readilyremoved from the plates by gripping the substantially nonadhering secondsurface area, each first and second surface areas include static clingcharacteristics, and the static cling characteristics of the secondsurface areas are each covered.
 16. The method as defined in claim 1wherein the plurality of thin spacers each include a first surface areain substantially adhering relationship with an associated plate and asecond surface area in substantially nonadhering relationship with anassociated plate whereby the thin spacers can be subsequently readilyremoved from the plates by gripping the substantially nonadhering secondsurface area, each first and second surface areas include static clingcharacteristics, and the static cling characteristics of the secondsurface areas are each covered by a thin covering.
 17. The method asdefined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of thin spacers each include afirst surface area in substantially adhering relationship with anassociated plate and a second surface area in substantially nonadheringrelationship with an associated plate whereby the thin spacers can besubsequently readily removed from the plates by gripping thesubstantially nonadhering second surface area, each first and secondsurface areas include static cling characteristics, and the static clingcharacteristics of the second surface areas are each covered by a thincovering of paper.
 18. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein prior tothe performance of the applying step the spacers are carried by acarrier tape, and during the performance of the applying step thespacers are transferred from the carrier tape to the plates.
 19. Themethod as defined in claim 1 wherein prior to the performance of theapplying step a first surface of each spacer is adhered to a carriertape, and during the performance of the applying step the spacers arestripped from the carrier tape and are applied first surface partiallyadhered to the plates.
 20. The method as defined in claim 1 whereinprior to the performance of the applying step a first surface of eachspacer is adhesively partially adhered to a carrier tape, and during theperformance of the applying step the spacers are stripped from thecarrier tape and are applied first surface partially adhesively adheredto the plates.
 21. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein prior to theperformance of the applying step a first surface of each spacer isstatically partially adhered to a carrier tape, and during theperformance of the applying step the spacers are stripped from thecarrier tape and are applied first surface partially statically adheredto the plates.
 22. The method as defined in claim 18 wherein theplurality of plates are glass sheets.
 23. The method as defined in claim18 wherein the spacers are made of static cling material.
 24. The methodas defined in claim 18 wherein the spacers are made of paper.
 25. Themethod as defined in claim 18 wherein the spacers are made of adhesivebacked paper.
 26. The method as defined in claim 18 wherein the spacersare applied to upper surfaces of the plates.
 27. The method as definedin claim 18 wherein the spacers are applied to lower surfaces of theplates.
 28. The method as defined in claim 19 wherein the plurality ofplates are glass sheets.
 29. The method as defined in claim 19 whereinthe spacers are made of static cling material.
 30. The method as definedin claim 19 wherein the spacers are made of paper.
 31. The method asdefined in claim 19 wherein the spacers are made of adhesive backedpaper.
 32. The method as defined in claim 19 wherein the spacers areapplied to upper surfaces of the plates.
 33. The method as defined inclaim 19 wherein the spacers are applied to lower surfaces of theplates.
 34. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the plurality ofplates are glass sheets.
 35. The method as defined in claim 20 whereinthe spacers are made of paper.
 36. The method as defined in claim 20wherein the spacers are made of adhesive backed paper.
 37. The method asdefined in claim 20 wherein the spacers are applied to upper surfaces ofthe plates.
 38. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the spacersare applied to lower surfaces of the plates.
 39. The method as definedin claim 21 wherein the plurality of plates are glass sheets.
 40. Themethod as defined in claim 21 wherein the spacers are made of staticcling material.
 41. The method as defined in claim 21 wherein theplurality of plates are glass sheets and the spacers are made of staticcling material.
 42. The method as defined in claim 21 wherein thespacers are applied to upper surfaces of the plates.
 43. The method asdefined in claim 21 wherein the spacers are applied to lower surfaces ofthe plates.
 44. A stack of sheets comprising a plurality of sheets eachhaving opposite first and second surfaces and a peripheral edge, aplurality of substantially thin flat spacers each having first andsecond opposite surfaces, at least the first surface of at least one ofsaid spacers being only partially adhered to the first surface of eachsheet, the second surface of said at least one spacer being in abutmentwith the second surface of an adjacent sheet whereby said sheets aremaintained in adjacent slightly spaced protective relationship with eachother, and means binding the plurality of sheets together in a stack.45. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said sheets areglass and said spacers are static cling vinyl.
 46. The stack of sheetsas defined in claim 44 wherein said sheets are glass and said spacersare paper.
 47. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein saidsheets are glass and said spacers are adhesive backed paper.
 48. Thestack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein at least a second surfaceof said at least one spacer includes means for preventing spacertransfer between adjacent sheets.
 49. The stack of sheets as defined inclaim 44 wherein said sheets are glass and said spacers are adhesivelybacked paper dots.
 50. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44wherein said sheets are glass and said spacers are adhesively backedsubstantially circular paper dots.
 51. The stack of sheets as defined inclaim 44 wherein each spaced first surface includes first and secondsurface areas, means for adhering said first surface area of each spacerto each sheet first surface, and means for preventing said secondsurface area of each spacer from adhering to each sheet first surface.52. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said adheringmeans include adhesive characteristics.
 53. The stack of sheets asdefined in claim 44 wherein said adhering means include static clingcharacteristics.
 54. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44 whereinsaid first surface area constitutes a major surface area of each spacer.55. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said adheringmeans include a substantially low adhesive strength adhesive.
 56. Thestack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said preventing means isa nonadhering covering upon said second surface area.
 57. The stack ofsheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said adhering means is upon saidfirst and second surface areas, and said preventing means overly saidadhering means at said second surface area.
 58. The stack of sheets asdefined in claim 44 wherein said first and second surface areas includesaid adhering means, and said preventing means overly said adheringmeans at said second surface area.
 59. The stack of sheets as defined inclaim 44 wherein said adhering means is upon said first and secondsurface areas, said preventing means overly said adhering means at saidsecond surface area, and said adhering means include adhesivecharacteristics.
 60. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44 whereinsaid adhering means is upon said first and second surface areas, saidpreventing means overly said adhering means at said second surface area,and said adhering means include static cling characteristics.
 61. Thestack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said adhering means isupon said first and second surface areas, said preventing means overlysaid adhering means at said second surface area, and said adhering meansinclude an adhesive.
 62. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44wherein said adhering means is upon said first and second surface areas,said preventing means overly said adhering means at said second surfacearea, and said preventing means is a nonadhering covering upon saidsecond surface area.
 63. The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44wherein said first and second surface areas include said adhering means,said preventing means overly said adhering means at said second surfacearea, and said adhering means include static cling characteristics. 64.The stack of sheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said first and secondsurface areas include said adhering means, said preventing means overlysaid adhering means at said second surface area, said adhering meansinclude static cling characteristics, and said preventing means is anonadhering covering upon said second surface area.
 65. The stack ofsheets as defined in claim 44 wherein said first and second surfaceareas include said adhering means, said preventing means overly saidadhering means at said second surface area, said adhering means includestatic cling characteristics, and said preventing means is a nonadheringpaper covering upon said second surface area.
 66. A ribbon particularlyadapted to have portions removed therefrom during end use applicationscomprising first and second relatively narrow strips of material, saidstrips of material each having a first surface with said first surfacesbeing in substantially abutting relationship, said strips of materialeach having a second surface opposite the respective first surface, aplurality of cut lines substantially through said first strip ofmaterial setting-off successive first strip portions which are adaptedto be subsequently entirely removed from said second strip, and aplurality of means spaced from each other along at least one of saidfirst and second strips for activating a sensor to effect timed removalof the first strip portions from second strip during end useapplications.
 67. The ribbon as defined in claim 66 wherein saidplurality of cut lines further define a second strip waste portion ofsaid first strip which is adapted to be removed entirely from saidsecond strip prior to end use applications of said ribbon.
 68. Theribbon as defined in claim 66 wherein said sensor activating means iscarried by said second strip.
 69. The ribbon as defined in claim 66wherein said sensor activating means is carried by said second stripsecond surface.
 70. The ribbon as defined in claim 66 including at leastone sensor activating means associated with each first strip portion.71. The ribbon as defined in claim 66 wherein said sensor activatingmeans is indicia carried by said second strip.
 72. The ribbon as definedin claim 66 wherein said sensor activating means is printing carried bysaid second strip.
 73. The ribbon as defined in claim 66 wherein saidsensor activating means is printed indicia carried by said second strip.74. The ribbon as defined in claim 66 wherein each first strip portionfirst surface includes first and second surface areas, each firstsurface area being in substantially adhering relationship with saidsecond strip first surface, and each second surface area being insubstantially nonadhering relationship with said second strip firstsurface thereby adapting said first strip portions for ready removalfrom associated articles to which the same are end use applied.
 75. Theribbon as defined in claim 66 wherein each first strip portion firstsurface includes first and second surface areas, each first surface areabeing in substantially adhering relationship with said second stripfirst surface, each second surface area being in substantiallynonadhering relationship with said second strip first surface therebyadapting said first strip portions for ready removal from associatedarticles to which the same are end use applied, and each first surfacearea includes adhesive characteristics.
 76. The ribbon as defined inclaim 66 wherein each first strip portion first surface includes firstand second surface areas, each first surface area being in substantiallyadhering relationship with said second strip first surface, each secondsurface area being in substantially nonadhering relationship with saidsecond strip first surface thereby adapting said first strip portionsfor ready removal from associated articles to which the same are end useapplied, and each first surface area includes static clingcharacteristics.
 77. The ribbon as defined in claim 66 wherein eachfirst strip portion first surface includes first and second surfaceareas, each first surface area being in substantially adheringrelationship with said second strip first surface, each second surfacearea being in substantially nonadhering relationship with said secondstrip first surface thereby adapting said first strip portions for readyremoval from associated articles to which the same are end use applied,each first surface area includes adhesive characteristics, and eachsecond surface area excludes adhesive characteristics.
 78. The ribbon asdefined in claim 66 wherein each first strip portion first surfaceincludes first and second surface areas, each first surface area beingin substantially adhering relationship with said second strip firstsurface, each second surface area being in substantially nonadheringrelationship with said second strip first surface thereby adapting saidfirst strip portions for ready removal from associated articles to whichthe same are end use applied, each first and second surface areasinclude adhesive characteristics, and means for covering the adhesivecharacteristics of the second surface areas.
 79. The ribbon as definedin claim 66 wherein each first strip portion first surface includesfirst and second surface areas, each first surface area being insubstantially adhering relationship with said second strip firstsurface, each second surface area being in substantially nonadheringrelationship with said second strip first surface thereby adapting saidfirst strip portions for ready removal from associated articles to whichthe same are end use applied, and said first and second strips are bothpaper.
 80. A ribbon particularly adapted to have portions removedtherefrom during end use applications comprising first and secondrelatively narrow strips of material, said strips of material eachhaving a first surface with said first surfaces being in substantiallyabutting relationship, said strips of material each having a secondsurface opposite the respective first surface, a plurality of cut linessubstantially through said first strip of material setting-offsuccessive first strip portions which are adapted to be subsequentlyentirely removed from said second strip, and a plurality of cut linessubstantially through said second strip of material setting-offsuccessive second strip portions which are each associated with one ofsaid first strip portions and are adapted to be removed therewith uponthe removal of each first strip portion from said second strip upon enduse applications.
 81. The ribbon as defined in claim 80 including aplurality of means spaced from each other along at least one of saidfirst and second strips for activating a sensor to effect timed unifiedremoval of the first and second strip portions from the second stripduring end use applications.
 82. The ribbon as defined in claim 80including a plurality of means spaced from each other along at least oneof said first and second strips for activating a sensor to effect timedunified removal of the first and second strip portions during end useapplications, and said sensor activating means is carried by said secondstrip.
 83. The ribbon as defined in claim 80 including a plurality ofmeans spaced from each other along at least one of said first and secondstrips for activating a sensor to effect timed unified removal of thefirst and second strip portions during end use applications, and saidsensor activating means is carried by said second strip second surface.84. The ribbon as defined in claim 80 including a plurality of meansspaced from each other along at least one of said first and secondstrips for activating a sensor to effect timed unified removal of thefirst and second strip portions during end use applications, and one ofsaid plurality of sensor activating means is associated with eachassociate first and second strip portions.
 85. The ribbon as defined inclaim 80 including a plurality of means spaced from each other along atleast one of said first and second strips for activating a sensor toeffect timed unified removal of the first and second strip portionsduring end use applications, and said sensor activating means is indiciacarried by said second strip.
 86. The ribbon as defined in claim 80including a plurality of means spaced from each other along at least oneof said first and second strips for activating a sensor to effect timedunified removal of the first and second strip portions during end useapplications, and said sensor activating means is printing carried bysaid second strip.
 87. The ribbon as defined in claim 80 including aplurality of means spaced from each other along at least one of saidfirst and second strips for activating a sensor to effect timed unifiedremoval of the first and second strip portions during end useapplications, and said sensor activating means is printed indiciacarried by said second strip.
 88. The ribbon as defined in claim 80wherein each first strip portion first surface includes first and secondsurface areas, each first strip portion first surface area being insubstantially adhering relationship with said second strip first surfaceincluding a first surface area of each second strip portion whereby saidfirst and second strip portions are removed simultaneously and unifiedduring end use applications.
 89. The ribbon as defined in claim 80wherein said second strip portions are each substantially smaller thansaid first strip portions.
 90. The ribbon as defined in claim 80 whereinsaid first strip of material possesses static cling characteristics. 91.The ribbon as defined in claim 80 wherein said second strip portions areeach substantially smaller than said first strip portions, said firststrip portions include a peripheral edge, and each second strip portionis disposed inboard and adjacent an associated peripheral edge.
 92. Theribbon as defined in claim 88 including a plurality of means spaced fromeach other along at least one of said first and second strips foractivating a sensor to effect timed unified removal of the first andsecond strip portions during end use applications.
 93. The ribbon asdefined in claim 88 including a plurality of means spaced from eachother along at least one of said first and second strips for activatinga sensor to effect timed unified removal of the first and second stripportions during end use applications, and said sensor activating meansis carried by said second strip.
 94. The ribbon as defined in claim 88including a plurality of means spaced from each other along at least oneof said first and second strips for activating a sensor to effect timedunified removal of the first and second strip portions during end useapplications, and said sensor activating means is carried by said secondstrip second surface.
 95. The ribbon as defined in claim 88 including aplurality of means spaced from each other along at least one of saidfirst and second strips for activating a sensor to effect timed unifiedremoval of the first and second strip portions during end useapplications, and one of said plurality of sensor activating means isassociated with each associate first and second strip portions.
 96. Theribbon as defined in claim 88 including a plurality of means spaced fromeach other along at least one of said first and second strips foractivating a sensor to effect timed unified removal of the first andsecond strip portions during end use applications, and said sensoractivating means is indicia carried by said second strip.
 97. The ribbonas defined in claim 88 including a plurality of means spaced from eachother along at least one of said first and second strips for activatinga sensor to effect timed unified removal of the first and second stripportions during end use applications, and said sensor activating meansis printing carried by said second strip.
 98. The ribbon as defined inclaim 92 wherein said second strip portions are each substantiallysmaller than said first strip portions, said first strip portionsinclude a peripheral edge, and each second strip portion is disposedinboard and adjacent an associated peripheral edge.
 99. A method ofmanufacturing a transparent plate which is adapted to be stacked inspaced relationship for shipment and subsequently unpacked for end useapplications comprising the steps of providing a transparent platehaving upper and lower surfaces and indicia on the upper surface whichappears in reverse when viewed from above the upper surface, conveyingthe transparent plate lower surface down, and applying a plurality ofsubstantially thin spacers to the lower surface whereby a plurality ofsuch plates when stacked are maintained in spaced relationship by saidspacers.
 100. The method as defined in claim 99 wherein each spacer hasa first surface adhering to the transparent plate lower surface and asecond surface opposite thereto, and said second surface includesindicia.
 101. The method as defined in claim 99 wherein the spacers areadhesive backed paper.
 102. The method as defined in claim 99 whereinthe spacers are electrostatically adhered to the transparent plate lowersurface.
 103. The method as defined in claim 99 wherein each spacerincludes a first surface area adhered to the transparent plate lowersurface and an adjacent surface area nonadhered to the transparent platelower surface area.
 104. The method as defined in claim 99 including thestep of subsequently utilizing the transparent plate in a substantiallyhorizontal position with the transparent plate lower surface up wherebythe indicia appears correctly when viewed from above.
 105. A method ofmanufacturing a transparent plate which is adapted to be stacked inspaced relationship for shipment and subsequently unpacked for end useapplications comprising the steps of providing a transparent platehaving upper and lower surfaces and indicia on the upper surface whichappears in reverse when viewed from above the upper surface, conveyingthe transparent plate lower surface down, applying a plurality ofsubstantially thin spacers to the lower surface whereby a plurality ofsuch plates when stacked are maintained in spaced relationship by saidspacers, and removing the spacers after utilization.
 106. A method ofmanufacturing a transparent plate which is adapted to be stacked inspaced relationship for shipment and subsequently unpacked for end useapplications comprising the steps of providing a transparent platehaving upper and lower surfaces and indicia on the upper surface whichappears in reverse when viewed from above the upper surface, conveyingthe transparent plate lower surface down, applying a plurality ofsubstantially thin spacers to the lower surface whereby a plurality ofsuch plates when stacked are maintained in spaced relationship by saidspacers, and removing the spacers before utilization.
 107. The method asdefined in claim 100 wherein the spacers are adhesive backed paper. 108.The method as defined in claim 100 wherein the spacers areelectrostatically adhered to the transparent plate lower surface. 109.The method as defined in claim 100 wherein each spacer includes a firstsurface area adhered to the transparent plate lower surface and anadjacent surface area nonadhered to the transparent plate lower surface.110. The method as defined in claim 103 wherein the spacers are adhesivebacked paper.
 111. The method as defined in claim 103 wherein thespacers are electrostatically adhered to the transparent plate lowersurface.
 112. The method as defined in claim 104 wherein each spacer hasa first surface adhering to the transparent plate lower surface and asecond surface opposite thereto, and said second surface includesindicia.
 113. The method as defined in claim 104 wherein the spacers areadhesive backed paper.
 114. The method as defined in claim 104 whereinthe spacers are electrostatically adhered to the transparent plate lowersurface.
 115. A spacer particularly adapted to be sandwiched betweenadjacent pairs of plates to effect separation therebetween comprising afirst sheet of relatively thin static cling material having first andsecond surfaces, first means for substantially preventing said firstsurface from electrostatically adhering to an associated plate, andsecond means for effecting electrostatic adherence of a first portion ofsaid second surface to an associated plate.
 116. The spacer as definedin claim 115 wherein said first means is a coating.
 117. The spacer asdefined in claim 115 wherein said first means is a cured ultravioletcoating.
 118. The spacer as defined in claim 115 wherein said firstmeans is an enamel coating.
 119. The spacer as defined in claim 115wherein said first means is a dried water-based coating.
 120. The spaceras defined in claim 115 wherein said second means is a covering. 121.The spacer as defined in claim 115 wherein said second means is a thinpaper covering.
 122. The spacer as defined in claim 116 wherein saidsecond means is a covering.
 123. The spacer as defined in claim 116wherein said second means is a thin paper covering.
 124. The spacer asdefined in claim 117 wherein said second means is a covering.
 125. Thespacer as defined in claim 117 wherein said second means is a thin papercovering.